I understand that this could be a manipulation tactic, or he really just wants to show that he is interested in staying, but I'm curious about the opinions of those more versed in tenant law, is this a bad idea to accept (add I suspect), and if so, why?

It's important to look at a nationwide report because they might have been convicted of an offense or be on a sex offender list in another county or state and you deserve to know that before renting to them.Another powerful screening tactic is to get an address history report so you can compare their actual residential history with what they claim on their application.  

Ask for more rent per month, state that it must be cleared out or just use it for a negotiation recession tactic.

Quote from @Gustavo Delgado: just deduct from the deposit and keep the receipt This would be an interesting negotiation tactic to offer the tenant if they can't square up out of pocket before renewing.

Find a "proven successful" mentor that can guide you in relevant marketing strategies so you don't waste your money on old marketing tactics that don't work.

I’m just trying to figure out what the insistence rush and//or tactics were all about in order to be well versed for the future. 

I was wondering if anyone had and knowledge of the quality of instruction provided by Todd Dotson of the company Tactical Real Estate.

However, a lot of the tactics, especially marketing tactics are a bit outdated. 

Only to find that a few comments further down that is exactly what happened and Bennie called him out on it.Overall this guy just seems shady, and it doesn't seem like he has any real credibility or expertise other than spending money on marketing tactics to dupe people into thinking he is some well-known real estate expert.

I’ve literally had other agents who I know are good people suggest lead tactics and/or selling tactics that I think are kind of shady, but they are so deep in they genuinely don’t realize there’s anything wrong or unethical about it.